Nelson's Island is an island located in Abū Qīr Bay, off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt. It is a local site for picnics and recreation, and is the location of a group of British graves dating from the Napoleonic Wars. Abū Qīr (Arabic أبو قير) (also Abukir or Aboukir) was a village on the Egypt, twenty-three kilometers (fourteen and one-half miles) northeast of Alexandria by rail, containing a castle used as a state prison by Muhammad Ali of Egypt. ... Antiquity and modernity stand cheek-by-jowl in Egypts chief Mediterranean seaport Located on the Mediterranean Sea coast, Alexandria (in Arabic, الإسكندرية — al-Iskandariyah) is the chief seaport in Egypt, and that countrys second largest city, and the capital of the Al Iskandariyah governate. ... The Napoleonic Wars lasted from 1804 until 1815. ...

In 2000, Italian archaeologist Dr. Paolo Gallo discovered a series of graves on the island. Further digging and research (in collaboration with British historian Nick Slope) determined that the graves dated from the 1798 Battle of the Nile and another land battle in 1801. The remains of British officers, sailors, marines, women, and children were uncovered. 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Archaeology or archæology or sometimes in American English archeology (from the Greek words αρχαίος = ancient and λόγος = word/speech) is the study of human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of cultural and environmental data, including architecture, artefacts, biofacts, human remains, and landscapes. ... 1798 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Battle of the Nile Conflict French Revolutionary Wars Date August 1, 1798 – August 2, 1798 Place Aboukir Bay, Egypt Result Decisive British victory The Battle of the Nile, also known as the Battle of Aboukir Bay, was an important naval battle of the French Revolutionary Wars between a British fleet... 1801 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

On April 18, 2005, the remains of thirty Royal Navy sailors and officers recovered from the island were buried in Alexandria. Only one body, that of Commander James Russell, was positively identified. The funeral was attended by the British ambassador to Egypt, members of the crew of the HMS Chatham, and a descendant of Commander Russell. April 18 is the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (109th in leap years). ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ... HMS Chatham (F87) is a Type 22 frigate of the Royal Navy. ...

Resources

• Smith, Tannalee. "30 Members of British Fleet Reburied". Associated Press, April 18, 2005.
• "Burials on Nelson's Island" - BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/society_culture/women/women_nelson_navy_05.shtml)